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Hard on the heels of Elf on the Shelf, a new Christmas craze is gathering pace - Christmas Eve boxes.

For the uninitiated, a Christmas Eve Box is an extra gift given to children on the night before Christmas, which is filled with festive treats.

Opinion on the idea has proved divisive, with some parents complaining Christmas is already costly enough, without adding extra expenditure and another round of gift giving.

But major retailers have jumped on the craze with a number of them stocking the boxes and items to be placed in them, such as sweet treats, nightwear, books and DVDs, which are the items that used to be found in stockings.

So if you think it's a terrible idea, this article probably isn't for you. However, if you think it's a smashing notion, here are a few ideas of how you can fill the boxes:

Christmas Eve boxes are becoming more and more popular

Festive Pj's

These Asda festive pj's are just £7 (Image: ASDA)

Festive pyjamas 's are a must for any Christmas Eve box, you can snuggle up in new fresh Christmas pj's and truly feel in the seasonal spirit. You can even have a bit of fun with it and get all of your family members a matching set!

These Pj's are just £7 from Asda.

Christmas DVD

Christmas classic Elf (Image: HMV)

Many people have a Christmas tradition and a festive film is usually just to thing to get you into the festive spirit. A Christmas film can be a family favourite or one you may have never seen before.

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From The Grinch, Polar Express, Christmas with the Kranks and Love Actually there's always a Christmas film which is someones favourite.

Elf is on sale at HMV for just £5.99.

Hot chocolate

Hot chocolate with chunky marshmallows (Image: Getty Images)

A hot drink is just the thing to warm you up on those cold winter nights, and a sure thing that your children will love to have whilst snuggled in their new pjamas and watching a festive film - it might also help them to get off to sleep.

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It's also something that they can help create, there are lots of toppings and treats to add to the chocolatey drink to make it extra special including whipped cream and sweets.

Sweets/chocolate

Kinder Egg Christmas house (Image: Wilkinson)

Pick out your child's favourite sweets or savoury snack to nibble on during the festivities. There's plenty of festive themed treats out there to choose from including this Kinder Egg Grotto for £2 from Wilkinson - don't let them overdo it though - a sugar rush is a sure fire way to stop them going to sleep!

Festive baking

Lakeland gingerbread house kit (Image: Lakeland)

If you want to do a family activity, baking Christmas cookies or creating some festive brownies is a great way to spend quality time together this Christmas.

Shops also offer great kits so you have all the ingredients you need in one handy place.

For example, Lakeland have a gingerbread house making kit for £12.99.

Book

Twas the night before Christmas book (Image: Rakuten Kobo)

A festive tale is often the perfect thing to get your little one all excited for Christmas Day. Traditional Christmas books include Twas The Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express and The Snowman.

Online you can find a copy of Twas the night before Christmas for just £2.99.

Christmas eve activity kit

Paint your own santa kit (Image: Hobby Craft)

If you're looking for something crafty to keep the kids busy on Christmas Eve an activity kit maybe just the thing. From sticking and glueing to drawing, there are plenty of festive crafts to get stuck into to.

Hobby Craft have a paint your own santa kit for £6.

Letter from santa

A personalised letter to Santa the day before Christmas will get them into the spirit of the festivities. It also maybe the incentive they need to go to sleep on time.